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    William Kerrigan

    William Kerrigan is a historian and writer. His most recent book is "West Virginia's War." (Ohio University Press, June 2025)

    Runaway Virginia slave deceived by rescuer changed public opinion in Ohio

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — On a September morning in 1856, attorney James Jackson awoke to learn that one of the...

    Once controversial, Mountaineer war memorial hides at the West Virginia capitol

    Landmarks / Museums William Kerrigan -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Motorists driving along Kanawha Boulevard past the West Virginia Capitol may notice three Civil War monuments...

    Charles Town grave marks the last resting place of restless John Yeats Beall

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — In the Zion Episcopal churchyard in Charles Town, West Virginia, lies the grave of John...

    The Bustle Flag: How Martinsburg’s Unionist women defied the Confederacy

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    MARTINSBURG, W.Va — The prosperous manufacturing town of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia, was thrust into turmoil at...

    The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia

    Agriculture William Kerrigan -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Around 1790, in a small clearing on a ridge above Wellsburg, West Virginia, a pioneer settler named...

    Remarkable encounter: John Brown’s final moments witnessed by Stonewall Jackson

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On December 1, 1859, abolitionist John Brown, having been convicted and sentenced to death for...

    The daring Civil War tale of Samantha Jane Atkeson of Putnam County

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Samantha Jane Atkeson was a teenager when she had to face down Union soldiers searching her...

    Freedom in Sight: Monroe County slaves risked all to flee to Union lines

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    UNION, W.Va. — While slavery had only a minor impact in most of what's now West Virginia before the...

    Forgotten sister of Stonewall Jackson defied her family and paid the price

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    BEVERLY, W.Va. — Most Civil War enthusiasts are familiar with the name Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, the iconic Confederate hero...

    Civil War letters from W.Va. reveal marriage that defied secession

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — John James Davis was shocked to learn that the Virginia Convention had endorsed secession on April...

    Tyler Childers performs old song by rebel West Virginia fiddler "Devil Sol"

    Arts William Kerrigan -
    CLAY, W.Va. — In 2020, Kentucky fiddler Tyler Childers released his fourth studio album, Long Violent History, a collection...

    Inferno on the River: Confederate raid on Burning Springs, West Virginia

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    BURNING SPRINGS, W.Va. — On the night of May 9, 1863, a conflagration lit up the skies along the...

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